Kangaroo Flat's top gun faces battle to play in Twenty20 semi-final

A STAR in Kangaroo Flat’s run in the Twenty20 action, Brad Orton faces a fitness test before tonight’s semi-final clash with Eaglehawk under the Dower Park lights.Orton’s hard-hitting in the top-order has played a big part in the Roos reaching the final four.Kangaroo Flat captain-coach Adam Burns said Orton would test his hamstring and a corked calf at last night’s training session.“Brad is an important part of our batting line-up, so, hopefully he will be right to play,” Burns said yesterday.A bonus for the Roos is the return of all-rounder Tim Robertson, a previous winner of the BDCA Cricketer of the Year award.Burns said many of the club’s younger players had impressed in the Twenty20 series.“Brent Hamblin and Tyler Hinds have batted superbly at the top of the order in most games.“In Twenty20 it’s important to start well and build partnerships, and Brent and Tyler have done really well.”The Roos also had Brad Perrow strike form in the second XI clash under lights last Saturday night, while Darcy Geyer adds to the team’s batting power. On the bowling front, Brent Hamblin and Tim Roberston will play key roles against an experienced Eaglehawk team which includes the likes of Andrew Smith, Matt White and Jason Abbott.The borough will be without key bowler Richard Tibbett who is at the Australian Country titles.Twenty20 champions of the past two summers, Strathdale-Maristians, will start favourite against Sandhurst at Bell Oval.The Suns’ batting line-up includes Jono Davidson, Andrew Chalkley, Linton Jacobs, Dom Taylor and Ben DeAraugo.Stars for the Hurst in this season’s series include Anthony West, Dylan Gibson, Matt Pask, Mark Holland, Shane Robinson, Andrew Bourne and Levi Walker.